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Seven for a Secret
Ruby lives in the city and Grandpa lives in the country. They write to each other and share the events in their lives. Ruby tells about the flights of stairs in their apartment block and the sights of the city. Grampa tells Ruby about the naughty magpies that live in his old oak tree. Through the Magpie Song, the events of the story unravel - three magpies for Ruby the magpie girl, one for a heart-breaking goodbye and six for a wonderful surprise that will change Ruby's life forever.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published January 18, 2006
8 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Anholt
243 books85 followersIn a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has produced over 200 children's books, which are published in more than 30 languages. Titles like the self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series have sold many millions of copies around the world. Laurence has also collaborated on numerous picture books with his wife, the artist, Catherine Anholt.
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 25, 2011
This book is so sweet. I think that students who have a close relationship with their grandparents could relate to this and would love it! It is so sad at the end, but the aithor finds a way to make it a little happier. It also has a lesson about family/money stuggles, and I know a lot of people could relate to that too. All in all, I love this book and plan to have it in my classroom one day!
October 20, 2012
This Book is probably the best childrens book out there!
As soon as i had read it, I had to share it,. with anyone who would listen. It was so touching, so moving that i was left in floods of tears with my children learning a real life lesson on how people can truly reach out hearts.
This book will always stay with me.
As soon as i had read it, I had to share it,. with anyone who would listen. It was so touching, so moving that i was left in floods of tears with my children learning a real life lesson on how people can truly reach out hearts.
This book will always stay with me.
January 8, 2018
This is a sweet and tender story. A little girl living in the city is writing to her grandfather, who lives in the country. The letters are loving and sweet. The grandfather tells her of a Magpie Song while both the girl and the old man are going through significant changes in their lives.
There is much sadness in this story, but it is written well and full of emotion.
There is much sadness in this story, but it is written well and full of emotion.
November 10, 2013
Very sad, but ultimately heartwarming.
There are unusual themes to see in a children's book, but it's very well done nevertheless. I'd recommend reading it through a couple of times before you read it to your child.
There are unusual themes to see in a children's book, but it's very well done nevertheless. I'd recommend reading it through a couple of times before you read it to your child.
July 10, 2017
I read this book to my children and we loved it! I do have to say it made me start sobbing half way through the book because I realized what was gonna happen 😭 great book that punches you with the "feels" 😭
Want to read
August 31, 2019Beautiful and heartwarming. So many of life’s nuances presented through natural and realistic settings.
I had tears building by the time I read the third page and looked at my little girl to find her tearing up too!
I had tears building by the time I read the third page and looked at my little girl to find her tearing up too!
October 10, 2014
Ok, wasn't ready for this one. I got super emotional and teary over this special picture book. Wonderfully, skillfully composed.
July 18, 2023
What spunk it took for Laurence Anholt to write an epistolary novel -- hardly fashionable for centures now -- and to write this as a picture book.
Moreover, Laurence chose to bring in knowledge about the secret word of magpies. This and more are in a tender tale about Grandpa and his granddaughter Ruby.
Among the biggest surprises, in all of this creative-and-vivid tale, is a clever little cutout labeled "Top Secret." Grandpa lets Ruby know, "I've been hiding shiny things for a long time, just like the magpies. One day they'll be yours."
Will you fall in love with the mystery at the center of this book?
In case the answer is yes, please know that I've rated this book with FIVE STARS, just in your honor.
Moreover, Laurence chose to bring in knowledge about the secret word of magpies. This and more are in a tender tale about Grandpa and his granddaughter Ruby.
Among the biggest surprises, in all of this creative-and-vivid tale, is a clever little cutout labeled "Top Secret." Grandpa lets Ruby know, "I've been hiding shiny things for a long time, just like the magpies. One day they'll be yours."
Will you fall in love with the mystery at the center of this book?
In case the answer is yes, please know that I've rated this book with FIVE STARS, just in your honor.
April 24, 2008
A children's book with a poignant and beautiful story told through a series of letters between Ruby and her Grampa.
March 21, 2014
Tear jerker but so sweet. I loved the illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews